Carbonylative Polymerization of Epoxides Mediated by Tri‐metallic Complexes: A Dual Catalysis Strategy for Synthesis of Biodegradable Polyhydroxyalkanoates

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a unique class of commercially manufactured biodegradable polyesters with properties suitable for partially substituting petroleum-based plastics. However, high costs and low volumes of production have restricted their application as commodity materials. In this study, tri-metallic complexes were developed for carbonylative polymerization via a dual catalysis strategy, and 17 products of novel PHAs with up to 38.2 kg mol^-1 M_n values were discovered. The polymerization proceeds in a sequential fashion, which entails the carbonylative ring expansion of epoxide to β-lactone and its subsequent ring-opening polymerization that occurs selectively at the O-alkyl bond via carboxylate species. The wide availability and structural diversity of epoxide monomers provide PHAs with various structures, excellent functionalities, and tunable properties. This study represents a rare example of the preparation of PHAs using epoxides and carbon monoxide as raw materials.